Contents of land tenancy agreement.

[MissBrown]

Hi all.
In approx 6 wks time I will be taking on some land to rent. We have agreed to start date, price and the responsibilities on my side (maintenance of the land) but what things should I ask to be included in the written agreement that we will be writing up next week?

The owner has said he wants it to contain things that we are both happy with so I am sure he will be fairly flexible if need be but I want to make sure that
everything important is covered!

What things do other people have in their agreements?

[QuietTiger]

of the top of my head: (We have a 20 acre plot with a shed that we have on a grazing licence, so similar)

Who pays water bills - our LL pays ours, but we have an off pipe that has a meter on it that supplies a water trough that is not on LL land, but is on ours next door, IYSWIM and we pay the metered bit.

Who pays for maintaining the boundaries (i.e. hedge cutting, gate/fence replacement if damaged, etc)

Who manages noxious weed control (will they spray for ragwort or will you manage it?)

Who will reseed it if that is required (i.e. if poaching gets really bad etc)

[Pixel]

The only thing I can remember from our tenancy agreement of years ago (we had 5 acres and a barn) was something about 'quiet enjoyment'. Oh and the fact that we had to shift up to one tiny corner for a month every year so a Christian group could have a massive camp for disadvantaged teenagers. Don't think you need worry about that bit!
That's a point though - the barn. If you have any buildings you'd better see what you're allowed to do, and also what happens if you want to put up shelters or anything like that?

[MissBrown]

Basically we have agreed that I will be responsible for all the maintenance on the land including harrowing, seeding etc, I will also pay the water.

On the other hand, I can do what I want with it, I can keep whatever animals I please, have an allotment for growing veg etc and even build additional shelters as long as he is happy with the design.

I am more interested in the agreements for terms of time, eg: how long should initial term be? I was thinking 6 mths and then review. What amount of notice should either party give when leaving? I was thinking a month. I know these might sound stupid questions but this is my first time!!

[EnlightenedOwl]

questbrook.co.uk/personal_docs/Grazing_Agreement.html

You do have to pay its £20 but may be money well spent to avoid trouble later and its less than a solicitor would charge!

There is also an agreement specific to grazing equines.

[MissBrown]

Excellent, thank you. I'll look into it.